Collapsible clock-case.



J. W. ELLIS. COLLAPSIBLE CLOCK CASE. APPLIoATIon FILED 001228, 1910.

Patented Feb. 14, 1911.

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JOHN W. ELLIS, OF PORTLAND, MAINE, ASSIGNOR TC Ii.

I1. NELSON COMPANY, A

CORPORATION OF MAINE.

COLLAPSIBLE CLOCK-CASE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 14, 1911.

Application led October 28, 1910. Serial No. 589,593.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. ELLis, a citizen of the United States, residing at Port land, county of Cumberland, State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Clock-Cases, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to clock cases, and particularly to folding clock cases. In the manufacture of articles of this sort it has become desirable in certain instances to supply the cases separate from the works and in such instances it has been desired to produce a case which should be capable of being packed in minimum bulk. In clock case construction, however, it is necessary to have a considerable stability and, where the case is to be offered for sale with a choice of works or with removable works, it is of great advantage to have a case into which the works can be fitted or from which they can be removed with a minimum amount of trouble.

It is the object of my present invention, therefore, to provide a clock case which shall a flat state for shipment. or storage and yet which, when set up, will afford all the requisite strength and stability of structure, and to which the works may be applied with the greatest ease, and when so applied will be in suificiently permanent relation to the case to afford them full protection. This result I accomplish by a construction and arrangement of the parts which will be more fully described in the specificati on which follows and, for the illustration 0f which I have shown in the drawings a form which I find well adapted `lo practical use.

In these drawings and in the specification like reference numerals are employed to indicate corresponding parts and in the draw ings z-Figure 1 is a front elevation of the clock case with works applied, showing in dotted lines some of the interior construcis a top view of the case and works as shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. is a topI view of the case in a state of partial collapse.

To the front 1 I flexibly unite, as by hinges 2 and 3, a pair of sides 4, t and to these I unite a back 5 by hinges 6 and 7. The hinges 3 and G, which are set diagonally opposite, are formed so as to open and close between the right angle of their normal position when set up and the various obtuse angles to their open position when their adjacent sides lie `fiat. The hinges Q and 7 are constructed to open and close between the right angle position which they occupy when the case is set up through the acute angles until their adjacent sides lie folded together.

The front 1 has an opening 1- of substantially the diameter of the clock barrel, which is indicated as 8, while the rear side is provided with an opening 51 of slightly smaller diameter adapted to expose the rear side of the clock barrel. Y

On each of the inner faces of the sides 1 4; I provided a pair of inwardly disposed spring members 9, 9 having curved inner portions adapted to conform to the cy lindric sides of the clock barrel 8. These springs are yieldably lateral so that the clock barrel may be pressed down between them from above until it is supported in registry with the opening 11 in the front 1 and in alinement with the opening 51 in the back 5. Below these side springs 9 is pivoted a forming piece 10 having the contour desired for the transverse section of the case. The forming piece 10 is hinged at 11 to one of the sides e and is notched at its opposite end, as indicated at 101, so as to pass the opposite side spring 9. The forming piece 10 is also slotted, as indicated at 13, so that when folded. up the spring 9 will be permitted to pass through it. In collapsing, one of the side springs 9 passes through the opening 51 at the back 5 while the opposite spring passes through the opening l1 of. the front 1, thus permitting the structure to lie perfectly flat. The forming piece 10 may be so spaced with regard to 'the opening 11 as to form a support for the works, as well as a contour plug for sustaining the case against collapse.

In assembling kthe works 8 with the case, after the case has been set up, the barrel is thrust in through the open top, which is of `lust su'liicient width to receive it.

14;, 15 and 16 are the usual handles or knobs for winding the main and alarm springs and for setting the hands. In most instances the handles are hinged to fold down flat so that they do not project beyond the rear cud of the barrel until they are turned up for use. They are, however, readily accessible through the rear opening 51.

Various modifications may be made in the forni and finish of the case and in the construction and aifangement of the parts all tion of said forming piece for holding a Without departing from the spirit of my inl eloelc barrel in registry in said opening. 2e ventien if Within the limits of the appended 2. A collapsible clock case comprising a Claims. front wall having an opening therein of sublllhat- I, therefore, claim and ,desire to sestantially the diameter of the clock barrel,

eure by Letters Patent is I a rear Wall and a pair of' side Walls each l. A collapsible clock ease comprising a flexibly hinged to each of said front and front Wall having an opening therein subrear Walls forming a continuous structure stantially the diameter of the eloek barrel, j vertically rigid but laterally collapsible and a rear wall and a pair of side Walls each means for holding said clock ease against flexibly hinged both to the front and to the collapse and `for supporting `a clock barrel in rear walls forming a continuous structure registry with said opening. 30

vertically rigid but laterally collapsible, a In testimony whereof, I affix my signa.-

forming piece movably mounted with refe ture in presence of two Witnesses.

ence te said Walls and fitting therebetween JOHN lV. ELLIS.

and adapted When in normal transverse pol/Vitnesses:

sition to hold said ease Walls against col- F. M. HARMON,

lapse and means above the transverse posif GUY L. TAYLOR. 

